National News

Libs must clarify energy plan: SA govt

The South Australian government has again called for the opposition to clarify its position on energy but refused to detail how much their own plan will save customers.

Premier Jay Weatherill said he would not put out "nonsense numbers" like the opposition leader when questioned how much his own energy plan will save customers by ABC radio on Thursday.

However, he said that his energy measures would reduce household prices.

One key initiative, the world's largest lithium-ion battery being built in SA's mid-north, could lower household prices by just over $60 each year, by helping provide "stabilisation services" to the grid, Mr Weatherill said.

"That is a very substantial reduction, it's going to happen as soon as the battery comes on board and these [factors] are priced in," the premier said.

Opposition Leader Steven Marshall released his energy plan on Tuesday with a promise to save households an average of $302 but later admitted customers would only directly save about $70 as a result of his policies.

His plan included spending $200 million to encourage the development of another interconnector between SA and the eastern states and $150 million on battery storage.

As well as the Tesla battery, Labor's plan includes support for a $650 million solar thermal power plant at Port Augusta and temporary turbine generators to provide emergency power.